Daily Mail Australia, by James Cooney
July 29, 2024 08:43, updated July 29, 2024 08:43
- Chalmers broke the 100m freestyle record in the relay.
- The world record is 46.80 seconds, Chalmers’ is 46.59 seconds
Kyle Chalmers broke the Australian men’s 4x100m freestyle relay team’s world record in Paris, but although it was 0.21 seconds faster than the current record, his time will not count.
“Big Tuna” put in a great fourth leg for the men’s relay team, but it wasn’t enough to secure the gold medal for the reigning world champions in a thrilling race.
The team had been behind for much of the first three matches but an inspirational swim from Kai Taylor put them back in medal contention, followed by a goal from Chalmers to take silver behind the USA.
Swimming legend Ian Thorpe described the relay as “the best I’ve ever seen Kyle Chalmers run” after Australia missed out on the top spot on the podium.
Jack Cartwright and Flynn Southam dropped back to fourth place after the first two games of the match, leaving their teammates with work to do.
But Chalmers produced some trademark momentum in the closing stages as anchor to reinforce his status as Australia’s best men’s relay runner.
He surged ahead as Australia struggled, but his 100m time of 46.59 seconds was an incredible mark.
However, his time did not officially count because it was recorded during a relay race.
According to the rules, only the swimmer in the lead leg can record an official time, and Chalmers was the fourth Australian to take to the water.
The diving start used by athletes in legs two through four of a relay event is slightly faster than a regular start, in which athletes must remain stationary until the race begins.
Chalmers’ secret weapon in Paris may be his new fiancée, Ingeborg Reuning.
Australians were sent through a rollercoaster of emotions at the 2022 Commonwealth Games after allegations emerged of a “love triangle” between romantic partners Emma McKeown and Cody Simpson.
The ordeal led Chalmers to seriously consider quitting the sport he loves, but in Paris he seems fully revitalised with a vengeance against Reuning.
While the athletes were not in attendance at the opening ceremony along the Seine River in Paris, he shared photos from inside the Australian Olympic Village, including one showing him and Reuning in a friendly setting.
“My Norwegian princess,” he captioned the image with a heart emoji.
Chalmers and Reuning announced their engagement in June this year, putting an end to the “love triangle” rumors once and for all.